CABINET APPROVES RENEWAL OF LAND BUY BACK SCHEME

The Freehold Buy Back Scheme has made its return after 32 years following Cabinet approval, the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo has announced.

Cabinet has endorsed a proposed allocation of $10 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year for the re-implementation of the scheme, alongside a new implementation framework. This will be jointly developed by the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Finance, and Office of the Solicitor General.

Initially launched in 1989 and expanded in 1993, the initiative will allow eligible iTaukei landowning units (LOUs) to reclaim ancestral lands that were alienated during the colonial period and sold as freehold property.

Through the programme, the Fiji Government secured 24 freehold parcels—spanning over 14,700 acres—on behalf of iTaukei landowners, at fair market value, under interest-free loan arrangements. The scheme provided a tool for land-poor LOUs to regain access to their traditional lands, the Ministry said.

“This is more than just a land programme—it is an act of restoration and recognition,” said Minister Vosarogo.

“Buy Back Scheme 3.0 reaffirms Government’s commitment to right historical injustices and provide landowning units with the opportunity to regain what was once theirs—land that holds cultural, spiritual and economic value.”

Cabinet noted that of the 24 original buy-back properties, nine LOUs have fully repaid their loans, with a total of $2.98 million recovered, while the remaining LOUs are at various stages of repayment. The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources will continue monitoring repayments and support LOUs through joint venture models and participatory land planning to improve outcomes.

The Ministry said 10 new freehold parcels have been identified, with expressions of interest received from respective LOUs and these parcels will be prioritised once the scheme is operational, adding that an additional 11 parcels of Freehold lands have been identified for negotiation with the Freehold title holders.

Source: Ministry of Lands & Mineral Resources